Bob Weir - Looks Like Rain (1972)

I always liked Bob Weir’s songs from the all time classics like “Truckin” and “Sugar Magnolia” to the kinda goofy rambling rockers “Greatest Story Ever Told”.

He covered Cass McCombs and collab’d with him!

youtu.be/z72237emplY?...

Marshall Crenshaw - Someday, Someway (1982)

Hit #38 in the Billboard singles chart
Played Buddy Holly in La Bamba
Co-wrote Gin Blossoms “Til I Hear It From You” (Empire Records)

This song brings a lot of Buddy Hilly energy. So bouncy and bright.

youtu.be/j7sg66vfNHs?...

Ashra - 77 Slightly Delayed (1978)

From the second Ashra album where Manuel Göttshing (previously of Ash Ra Tempel) played all instruments.
Beautiful combining of psychedelic, ambient, and electronic elements
This music almost gives me the ASMR tingles

youtu.be/CVPPCsG0FjE?...

Small Factory - Valentine (1993)

Rhode Island band from the early 90s.
This one is more on the twee side than their other material, but it’s a delight.

youtu.be/Su45EP2Cw-o?si…

R. Ring - Fallout and Fire (2012)

Kelley Deal’s 21st century project with a simple room sound and repeating guitar part that sets the stage for Kelley’s great vocals

youtu.be/Ww_3ns98tiA?...

Madge - Alice (2018)

DIY pop weirdo who feels post SOPHIE/PC Music but less contained within a singular sound.

This gem is kitchen sink perfect sample pop. Feels almost like Dust Brothers Beck playfulness.

youtu.be/jlXR4Ybj0_Q?...

Don Cornell & The Eternals - Let’s Start Again (1970)
(Sometimes credited as Cornell Campbell and The Eternals or Don Cornel)

Lovely lovers ska from Studio One associated Cornell. I love how restrained and sweet the vocals are.

youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Kara Jackson - Lily (2023)

The most beautiful song I came across in 2023. This whole album by poet turned musician blew me away with its bare nakedness.

youtu.be/Q4_EOaAEZ98?...

The Smithfields - Blew Me Out of the Water (1971)

This song feels like you know it already, like it’s in a Quentin Tarantino scene. It’s jaunty, and fun but the lyrics are deceptively about betrayal.

Not on streaming services

youtu.be/NQ9XTu_fx38?...

Mona Lisa Overdrive
Stuck
1993

What a fun clash between verses and choruses, pulling from jangle college rock and industrial.

This song played a lot on KROQ (106.7 in LA) as alternative rock was being defined in 1993.

youtu.be/SUvZPrYhSVs?...